Onsted philanthropist Hubbard struck, killed while crossing road

An Onsted businessman who was walking across the road at his home to retrieve a newspaper died Wednesday after being struck by a passing motorist.

Cambridge Township Police Chief Larry Wibbeler said Phil Hubbard, 78, was crossing Onsted Highway south of the village limits at approximately 6:35 p.m. when he was struck by an SUV driven by Daniel Joseph Arvidson, 48, of Brooklyn.

Hubbard was transported by Lenawee Community Ambulance to ProMedica Bixby Hospital in Adrian where he was pronounced dead.

Wibbeler said a joint investigation with the accident investigation team from the Lenawee County Sheriff's Department is continuing. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor.

"Evidently, the driver did not see Phil, who was wearing all-dark clothing," Wibbeler said.

Hubbard was remembered Thursday by members of the Onsted community as a generous, well-loved businessman.

Onsted Village President Ron Bailey called Phil Hubbard "a true asset to the village."

"He was one of those community people involved behind the scenes," Bailey said. "He was involved in the community, he was on our planning commission as chairman, he was on the board of directors at the (OSB Community) Bank, and served on our medical board in previous years."

Bailey said four generations of his family conducted business with the family at Hubbard Auto Center, which has been part of the Onsted community for nearly 70 years.

"I think I bought my first car from him," Bailey said.

Onsted Kiwanis member and family friend David Dixon said Thursday that Hubbard was "a wonderful, wonderful person.

“He was a great humanitarian and a philanthropist to the community,” Dixon said. “There are not too many people past or present who have not had their lives touched by Phil and Jackie Hubbard.”

Dixon and Hubbard were both members of the Onsted Kiwanis. He said that both Phil and his wife, Jackie, were instrumental in the success of a number of community activities, including the annual Show Car Nationals at Michigan International Speedway.

"They've both done so much for the school and Kiwanis," Dixon said. "They were the leading, driving force — the engineers, if you will — that started the car show."

Dixon said he is also grateful to the Hubbards for allowing him to start a car business on their property and for the long-time friendship between their families.

"Phil was a great 'Dutch' uncle to my grandchildren," he said.

Onsted-area businesswoman Donna Boglarsky said she was humbled by Phil and Jackie Hubbard's support of the Irish Hills Towers restoration project and was saddened to learn of Phil's death.

"I've admired both of them and what they've done for the community, and for bringing the car show to the area," Boglarsky said.

Hubbard's friend Eugene Deuel worked on school-enhancement projects with him over the years.

"We didn't have tennis court years ago," the former Onsted Community Schools superintendent said Thursday. "He and others worked on it and got a tennis court for Onsted."

Deuel said Hubbard will be best remembered for his generosity.

"As a businessman, Phil did things for the community all the time," Deuel said. "He was all about Onsted.